Two poems on God and the World

In this mini-collection of poems, November reflects on the presence of God in the universe.

קינה לשלום המדינה

In an original Hebrew poem, Shoshanah Haberman addresses the crisis in Israel and Gaza, mourns the dead, and prays for the future.

Wicked

In this poetic tale from Marina Zilbergerts's recent poetry book You Were Adam (Wipf and Stock), a learned and passionate woman struggles with her yetser hara, nicknamed "Wicked." The yetser is imagined as a fantastic character who accompanies her through Jewish Toronto's banal suburbia. "Wicked '' is a sympathetic and tragic apikores who knows how to get her where it hurts, but he also speaks the truth. He is a careful social observer present with her at all times. From going on weekly shopping trips, being in shul, to more intimate moments, this demonic character becomes her unlikely friend. In an ironic twist, the lessons taught to her by her yetser help her embark on the path of repentance.

Aggadic Poetry

In this pair of poems, Dovid Campbell imagines the unspoken words that arise from scenes in Aggada

Why They Met Rahab First

As the haftarah of Parashat Shelah approaches, Abe Mezrich presents a poem that traces an intriguing textual connection between Rahab and Jocheved.

Bread of Life

Can food embody holiness? In this poem, DJ Grant uses challah as a metaphor to encapsulate the individual holiness of a person.

Of Prayer in Solitude

How can one pray after sinning? In this poem, Dov Frank suggests seeking redemption in unexpected places.

When the Sea Parted

As we approach Pesach, Bruce Black's latest poem vividly retells the splitting of the sea.

A Letter to Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

A poem addressed to survivors in the Chareidi community about the existential confusion endured by child sexual abuse.

The Deed

Yehoshua November's poem movingly and thoughtfully portrays the challenges and pleasures of Chassidic life.